Information Sources and Lessons Learned by Construction Organizations during the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the US

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most severe global health emergency in recent history. The pandemic has affected the construction industry like other industries, especially during the early months. Several studies have assessed the pandemic’s impacts and examined several mitigation strategies. However, no study has discussed the information sources that construction organizations relied on to obtain information about COVID-19 and the early lessons learned. This study compiled the information sources that construction organizations relied upon while operating during the early months of the pandemic by conducting interviews with construction professionals. The study also collected the early lessons learned from operating during the pandemic. Interview findings suggest that the most frequently used sources were (1) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and (2) local city and county websites. As for early lessons learned, the findings from the interviews revealed that there is a need for an industry standard to work during similar events and the need to stockpile adequate material and place early orders. The current study’s findings would help industry leaders and decision-makers better understand how the construction industry reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic to establish the best practices to remain operative, productive, and safe during future pandemics.